Labour wins 10 out of 16 Council seats- thank you Southampton!
6th May 2011
Last night at the local elections count, Southampton Labour won 10 out of the 16 seats up for election, including seats never won before on current boundaries.
In Southampton Test, Shirley elected a Labour Councillor for the first time ever on current boundaries; Millbrook elected a Labour Councillor for only ever the second time. Local people also elected Labour Councillors in Coxford, Redbridge and Bevois wards. In both Freemantle and Portswood, Tory majorities were cut dramatically.
Overall Labour won 5 out of the 7 seats up for election in Southampton Test. In Southampton overall Labour won 41% of the vote, compared to 37% for the Tories and 14% for the Lib Dems.
Southampton elects its Councillors in thirds. This means that despite Labour winning a majority of seats this year, the Conservatives still have a (very slim) majority and will continue to run Southampton. However, all this could now change next year, when the majority of sitting Tory Councillors are up for re-election.
Alan Whitehead said:
"Thank you to everyone who took the time yesterday to vote and to help send a message to the Tory Council here in Southampton and the Tory government. It's very clear these results show residents here are deeply worried about the impact of Tory-Lib Dem cuts to Southampton- whether it's the loss of funding for our local schools or the scandalous cuts to local councils that punish Southampton much more than other, wealthier areas.
"Congratulations as well to the first-time Labour Councillors elected last night. I've spent a great deal of time working with the our new Councillors and I know first hand just how hard working they are. I'll do all I can to support their work to stand up for local residents over the coming years."
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